Chapter I (1)

THOMAS CRIBB, CHAMPION OF ENGLAND.—1805‒1820.

“Advance, brave Broughton!” exclaims Captain Godfrey, with manly enthusiasm; “thee I pronounce Captain of the Boxers!” Had the worthy and trueborn writer of “the Characters” lived in the nineteenth century, he would have bestowed this compliment on “honest and brave Old Tom.” Since first the honour of champion was a coveted and distinguished prize for men of bold heart and iron sinew, for men of forbearing coolness and pain-defying fortitude, down to these evil days of wrangle, chaffing, bullying, and shifting, a more straightforward, excellent, simple-hearted, generous, and brave man than Tom Cribb, never held the hard-won trophy.

There are curious parallels to be traced in pugilistic as well as public annals, which exemplify the sagacious remark of a philosophic writer, that history is always repeating itself. Thus renown awakens emulation in other hearts, and bold adventurers are ready to challenge imputed superiority. In such competitions with man, horse, or hound, in athletic exercises, in courage, endurance, and in cool self-reliance even against odds physical or numerical, England has no cause to blush for her sons. In the days of Fig, we have seen that a Venetian gondolier, a formidable fellow, vaunted as “the strongest man in Europe,” proposed to tear the champion’s wreath from—

“England, that never did nor never shall
Lie at the proud foot of a conqueror.”

THOMAS CRIBB (CHAMPION OF ENGLAND).

_From the Painting by_ DE WILD, 1811.
]

In the time of Cribb, the descendant of an African race, remarkable for insensibility to pain, a low cerebral development, and immense muscular powers, challenged the belt, was met by Tom Cribb, defeated, and died a self-destroyed victim to his mortification and reckless excess. In our own time an Irish-American of superior stature, weight, and physique, with the advantages of youth, activity, and unexhausted energy, offered himself as challenger of the belt, which might well be taken as the symbol of the championship of the world. Its holder was a middle weight, whose many hard fought battles had left him outward marks on his person, and still more told upon his elasticity and lasting powers. Yet Tom Sayers undauntedly met the defiance, and the result, though unsatisfactory in the main, showed what lion-hearted courage and a determination to “do or die” can achieve. The trophy was retained in our little “nook-shotten isle,” again to be contended for by Englishmen, though “open to all comers,” without regard to country and colour. But we are anticipating our history, which has now to do with the honest, hearty, and gallant Tom Cribb.

Cribb was born July 8th, 1781, at Hanham, in the parish of Bitton, Gloucester, on the borders of Somerset, situate about five miles from Bristol, and it is rather a disputed point to which of the counties contiguous to Hanham this spot belongs.

Pierce Egan, from Cribb’s own lips, has compiled a diffuse account of his earlier career, to which we are indebted for the following particulars:—

Our hero left his native place at a very early period, and arrived in the metropolis, when no more than thirteen years old, to follow the trade of a bell-hanger, under the guidance of a relative; but the confined occupation of hanging bells not exactly meeting his ideas, and being a strong youth, he preferred an out-door calling, and commenced porter at the wharfs, during which time he met with two accidents that had nearly deprived him of existence—in stepping from one coal barge to another, he fell between them, and got jammed in a dreadful manner; and in carrying a very heavy package of oranges, weighing nearly 500 pounds, he slipped upon his back, and the load fell upon his chest, which occasioned him to spit blood for several days afterwards. By the excellence of his constitution, he was soon enabled to recover his strength from those severe accidents; and aided by the invigorating air of the ocean, upon which he had the honour of serving against the enemies of his country, his fine natural stamina was improved. The natural good temper and forbearance of this brave man has left his historian little to record in the way of skirmishes; and the important contests which it will become our duty and pleasing task to record, were all conducted on the principles of professional boxing—the very first elements of which are manliness, forbearance, and fair play. Though Cribb was generally considered a slow fighter, he was as generally admired as a sure hitter; his wind was of the first quality, and his game never excelled. With such sound pugilistic pretensions it will not appear surprising that Tom quickly scaled his way to fame and fortune, in which career we shall leave his actions to speak for themselves.

In the beginning of 1805, Cribb fought his first public battle with that veteran of fistic glory, George Maddox, on Wood Green, near Highgate, January 7th, 1805, for a subscription purse of twenty-five guineas—twenty for the winner and five for the loser. The disparity of years was considerable between the combatants; and Cribb, besides possessing the advantages of youth, was somewhat taller than Maddox, and, consequently rather the favourite.

As we find no report, beyond a mere mention of this fight in “Boxiana,” or elsewhere, we give the brief account we find in the weekly papers: “On Monday (January 7), at Wood Green, about two miles north of Highgate, a severe boxing match took place, between the pugilistic veteran, George Maddox (in his 50th year), and Thomas Cribb, a young man, who had never entered the lists before, but known in the neighbourhood of Wapping, where he has been working as a coal-porter, as ‘the Black Diamond.’ Maddox’s second was Tom Jones, and Black Sam sympathetically seconded the Black Diamond.

“The contest was for an amateur subscription purse of 25 guineas, 20 for the winner, and five for the loser. A ring having been formed, at about twelve o’clock the combatants entered. On stripping appearances were greatly in favour of Cribb; he being a well made man, standing five feet ten inches, about two inches taller than Maddox. After the usual ceremonies they set-to.”

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—This was little more than sparring. The
Diamond put in a blow, but no harm done.

4.—Well contested. Maddox showed considerable
skill, and finished it by closing his opponent’s
eye. (Odds rose two to one in favour of George.)
From this to the

30th.—Nothing of consequence happened; both men
fought desperately, Maddox with great tact as
well as pluck, and each endeavoured to out-do
his opponent. Maddox by this time finding his
antagonist possessed good bottom, exerted his
utmost to blind him, and hit always at his head,
Cribb fighting with undaunted courage.

40.—By this time they had fought exactly an
hour, and Cribb’s eye was severely hurt. (Odds
four to one on Maddox.) To the

52nd.—Was a continued series of hard fighting.

53.—Odds again rose in favour of Maddox, and he
put in a most severe blow a little beneath his
opponent’s left eye, which perfectly closed it.
The fight had now lasted one hour and a half;
but from this to the

60th.—Maddox continued to lose ground, becoming
almost worn out. The friends and partisans of
Maddox perceiving this, got up a row in another
part of the ring, and his seconds led him off,
declaring it a drawn battle. On this Cribb
demanded the purse; but this was refused, and a
general engagement ensued. Caleb Baldwin, Tom
Jones, Black Sam, Dutch Sam, and the spectators
took a very active share. During the scuffle
some ruffian treacherously cut Cribb over the
head with a stick. Order, however, was, after
some time, restored, and Cribb insisted either
on the purse or that his antagonist should
return to the combat. This generous offer was to
Maddox’s friends a perfect poser, but rather
than lose ‘the cole,’ they brought George out of
a hackney coach to renew the fight, and the
combatants again set-to. They supported the
contest for sixteen rounds, making in all
seventy-six, and the time two hours and twelve
minutes, when George, thoroughly exhausted, gave
in. Cribb, having but just come forward, found
but few friends, and consequently was obliged to
put up with much unfair play.

Such is the contemporary report, and one that shows that the “win, tie, or wrangle” school is not altogether modern, and that ruffians at the ring side, as elsewhere, were among our grandfathers as in the present time. Cribb’s reputation rose greatly by the coolness, even temper, and game he displayed, as a novice contending against one of the best and most experienced tacticians of his time.

Young Cribb was well in three days, and at the Fives Court, where he was challenged by Tom Blake (Tom Tough). See Appendix, _ante_, p. 236. Preliminaries were quickly arranged, and a month’s time given, February 15th, 1805, being appointed, on which day they met on Blackheath. We quote the report:—

THE FIGHT.

Both parties had been a month in training. All
the patrons and admirers of pugilism having
gained information on the preceding evening of
the seat of combat, early in the morning
Blackheath was thronged. A ring was formed, and
about eleven o’clock Cribb entered, accompanied
by Richmond, the black, and Joe Norton, as his
seconds. Blake soon followed, with Dick Hall and
Webb, for his attendants. They stripped, and
immediately set-to. Bets even, but odds
generally considered in favour of Cribb, from
his known agility and skill. The combatants met
each other with great eagerness, and each put in
some exceedingly good blows. For a quarter of an
hour bets remained stationary, and both
champions in that time had displayed a degree of
science and courage almost unprecedented. Cribb,
however, being longer in the reach than his
opponent, it was seldom Blake could effectively
get home a blow. At the end of an hour Blake
began to show great symptoms of distress, and
odds were now strongly betted in favour of
Cribb. Still Blake stood up manfully, and
displayed a great deal of his usual dexterity.
Until within the two last rounds of the battle,
Cribb astonishingly supported his advantage; but
here Blake brought his utmost, both in strength
and skill, into action. He put in several
excellent straight hits about his opponent’s
head; Cribb rallied most determinedly. Blake
recovered and returned to the rally, but
overreaching himself, Cribb threw him a
cross-buttock.

The next round decided the contest; Blake found
he was fighting at an overpowering disadvantage,
and gave in. Blake was extremely weak; he could
hardly stand; and Cribb showed marks of his
antagonist’s dexterity.

Belcher, Warr, Mendoza, Bittoon, Berks, Maddox,
and Jack Holmes were there. Several amateurs
offered to back Cribb against any pugilist
going, but no one accepted the challenge.

Cribb was not allowed to rest long upon the laurels he had thus acquired by two victories in two months. A ponderous Jew, known as Ikey Pig, well known among the sparring schools, fancied he could take the shine out of the Black Diamond, whom many declared to be “slow as a top.” Fifty guineas was posted, and Blackheath named as the rendezvous. On May 21st, 1805, the battle came off. Tom Jones seconded Cribb, and Will Wood, the coachman, picked up the Jew.

For the first quarter of an hour Ikey made good use of his strength. He closed at the end of each round, and brought Cribb down heavily more than once. Cribb fought very steadily and cautiously, generally drawing his man after him. Being, however, down and undermost at the end of several rounds, superficial observers thought that Cribb had the worst of it, and betted against him. In the eighth and ninth rounds, however, though Cribb was down, Ikey’s friends perceived their man had much the worst of it. He was not only much disfigured but sadly distressed by some heavy half-arm hits which Cribb had delivered with the right on his left side. They fought two more rounds, making eleven in all, when Ikey, who was terribly distressed, refused to fight any more, alleging that he had sprained his wrist. “This defeat sadly mortified many of the Israelites, who considered Ikey had shown ‘the white feather.’ It was afterwards, however, agreed that he had no chance of victory.”

Cribb was unquestionably “going the pace,” and “it is the pace that kills.” The next month (June), he was matched to fight George Nicholls, on the 20th July. They met at Broadwater, and here Cribb experienced his first and last defeat. The details will be found under Nicholls’ memoir in the Appendix to this Period.

As colour or country made no difference to Tom Cribb, any more than to his smaller successor Tom Sayers, Cribb entered the ring on the 8th October, 1805, with Bill Richmond, the black, at Hailsham, Sussex, after Gully had been defeated by the accomplished Pearce, the Game Chicken. The purse was 25 guineas, twenty to the winner.

“At any other time,” says the reporter, “a contest between these men would have demanded the greatest attention, but so highly were the minds of the amateurs excited by the merit of the first contenders, that little notice seemed paid to the present battle. To call it a battle, however, is to disgrace the synonyme of fight. It was a most unequal match. Richmond, finding he could not get at his steady and formidable opponent, hopped and danced about the ring, sometimes falling down, at others jigging round in the style of an Otaheitan dance. Cribb appeared somewhat puzzled by his opponent’s long black pegs, and could not be persuaded to go in and lick him off hand, as every one knew was well in his power. Twenty minutes elapsed without a single blow of any consequence passing. In this manner they spun it out for one hour and a half, when Cribb was acknowledged the victor, without being the least hurt. Among the numerous sporting equestrians present was the Duke of Clarence.”

Cribb now rose into general notice, and John Jackson having introduced him to the renowned Captain Barclay, of Ury (of whom more anon), that excellent judge quickly perceived his natural good qualities; he took him in hand, trained him under his own eye, and backed him for 200 guineas against the famous Jem Belcher, whose _prestige_ was still so great, that, despite the loss of an eye, six to four was laid upon him so soon as the match was made.

On the classic hurst of Moulsey, on the 8th April, 1807, in a twenty feet roped ring, Tom Cribb and Jem Belcher met. Gully and Bob Watson, of Bristol, waited upon Belcher; Bill Warr and Bill Richmond (last defeated by Cribb), waited on the champion.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—The science on both sides was shown in
the excellence of their defensive attitudes;
Belcher’s, however, was far the most graceful
and unconstrained. Belcher broke ground, and got
in two light hits left and right on the body of
his opponent, which were returned slightly by
Cribb, who rallied, closed, and was thrown by
Belcher.

2.—Belcher put in two severe blows upon Cribb’s
head and body, when the latter returned a hit,
but slipped down upon his hands in attempting to
follow it up. Cribb showed the first blood.

3.—Several severe blows were exchanged, when
Cribb threw Belcher, who planted a heavy body
blow while in the act of falling. This round
rather in favour of Cribb.

4.—Cribb displayed good science in warding off
two blows of Belcher’s, when they closed and
fell.

5.—Belcher with his right hand put in a dreadful
blow on Cribb’s left eye, and in closing hit his
opponent twice in the body, and threw him. (Five
to two on Belcher.)

6.—Cribb began to show symptoms of weakness.
Belcher put in a hit, warding off which caused
Cribb to fall.

7.—Belcher’s punishment was now visible on
the body of Cribb, who endeavoured to put in
two blows, which were parried by Belcher,
and Jem returned both right and left with
great dexterity, and rallied his man to the
ropes, when Cribb clung to them, and fell
much fatigued; Belcher also went down on his
knees, but seemed in good spirits. (Three to
one on Jem.)

8.—A good supply of home-brewed from Cribb;
hitting and retreating neatly on both sides;
when they closed and both went down.

9.—Belcher hit his adversary right and left, but
only the latter told, when Jem fell from the
force of his own blow.

10.—Belcher commenced this round with great
spirit, and gave Cribb some severe blows,
without letting him have a chance; following and
rallying his opponent to the ropes, when Cribb,
appearing quite fatigued, fell. (The odds now
rose four to one on Jem.)

11.—Belcher planted two hits, which Cribb
skilfully warded off, but Belcher was so rapid
in closing upon his antagonist, that they both
went down.

12.—A small change was now making its appearance
between the combatants—Cribb seemed rather
gaining his strength, while Belcher appeared
rather distressed from his exertions; Cribb
rallied successfully, planted a hit under
Belcher’s perfect eye, closed, and threw him.

13.—Belcher in all his contests never showed
himself to greater advantage than in this round;
his skill was of the finest order, and only
equalled by his courage. In closing, Belcher
threw Cribb.

14.—Both on the alert. Belcher let go both right
and left, which were parried by Cribb, who
returned two blows in the body, when they closed
and fell. (Still four to one on Belcher.)

15.—Belcher, full of gaiety, rallied Cribb to
the extremity of the ring, and, in struggling,
put an end to the round by falling.

16.—Cribb stopped Belcher’s blows with great
skill. The knowing ones were, at this period
of the battle, rather at a stand-still with
regard to sporting their money. Cribb, it was
certain, by his appearance, had received severe
punishment, but not enough to satisfy anything
like his gluttony and Belcher’s stamina had been
considered on the decline previous to the
contest, and it was apprehended that he could
not last.

17.—Belcher, still confident, forced the
fighting, until Cribb fell from fatigue.

18.—Belcher put in some severe blows in the
body, and followed them with a heavy
right-hander on the throat of his opponent, and
Cribb fell violently, and quite exhausted. It
was in this round that Belcher sprained his
wrist, and was almost deprived of the use of his
right hand afterwards.

19.—Belcher slipped in making play.

20.—The combatants closed and fell.

21.—Cribb planted two blows on his opponent’s
head, who slipped in returning them. It was now
perceived that Belcher proved incorrect in his
distances, and that several of his blows were
thrown away, from the bad state of his eye.

23.—Belcher, full of gaiety, put in a good hit,
and threw Cribb a cross-buttock.

24.—Cribb the most conspicuous in the round,
when they closed and fell.

25.—Cribb put in a tremendous blow, and in
attempting to follow it up, Belcher shifted, and
Cribb ran himself down.

26.—The constitution of Belcher was now giving
way; his strength was not able to resist the
heavy punishment of Cribb, who hit Jem from him,
and gave him a leveller. Cribb upon this became
the favourite.

27.—A well-contested round, and, notwithstanding
Belcher gave Cribb a cross-buttock, it was
considered in favour of the latter.

28.—Belcher made a hit, which was warded off by
his opponent and returned, when they closed and
fell.

29.—Without hesitation Cribb closed, and, from
his uncommon strength, threw Belcher over the
ropes.

30.—After slight exchanges, Belcher fell from a
very slight hit.

31.—A good round, without any particular
advantage to either; though Cribb put in the
most blows, yet Belcher gave his adversary a
violent fall.

32.—Both closed and fell.

33.—Belcher, quite game, endeavoured to make the
best of it, but Cribb rallied and threw him.

34, 35, and 36.—In all these rounds Cribb
maintained the superiority.

37.—Belcher had scarcely any strength left to
stand, and his brave opponent was not in a much
better state; and from this period to the
fortieth it was little better than mere hugging,
blows they could not be called, from the
exhausted state of both the combatants.

41 and last.—Thirty-five minutes had now
elapsed, and Cribb proving the stronger man,
put in two weak blows, when Belcher, quite
exhausted, fell upon the ropes, and gave up
the contest.

REMARKS.—Every one present could not but feel
surprised at the astonishing improvement Cribb
had made in the science of pugilism. In all
his preceding contests he had only displayed
the pluck of a novice, but in this he showed
himself equal to his opponent in stopping and
measuring his distances. Had it been generally
known that he had so amply possessed these
qualities, as well as his astonishing game,
the result might have been anticipated.
Notwithstanding this just praise is paid to
Cribb’s merit, he cannot be considered equally
scientific with his unsuccessful opponent. He
was decidedly slow, and until after the hit he
so dexterously put in on Belcher’s perfect
eye, and the latter had sprained his wrist, he
stood a doubtful chance. Belcher fought with
all that vigour and skill which ever were his
characteristics, but seemed incapable of
judging his distances accurately.

From the above somewhat meagre report of this battle, it will be gathered that notwithstanding the strength of Cribb, who was nearly two stone heavier than his opponent, he was only just able to pull through against the wonderful skill and activity of Jem Belcher. Indeed, it is said in “Boxiana,” that had it not been for the manœuvring of Bill Warr, the boot would have been on the other leg. It appears that in the eighteenth round, when Cribb fell exhausted, Gully, who was seconding Belcher, was so satisfied that Cribb could not come to time, that he offered five to one to Warr that Belcher had won. Bill accepted the bet, and then craftily insisted that it should be staked. This ceremony, although only occupying a minute, gave sufficient time to enable a glutton like Cribb to recover himself.

George Cribb, who was emulous of his brother’s fame, made his first unsuccessful effort with Horton, a big provincial boxer, of the Bristol School. Horton, whose only claim to survive in ring history is the fact of his having fought Tom Cribb, beat “the young ’un” in twenty-five minutes. The report, given in “Pancratia,” p. 302, says, “Cribb, like his more distinguished brother, fights too slow, while Horton, who is a rare doublehanded fellow, hit him abroad every round. Horton, when the battle was over, offered to fight either Tom Cribb or John Gully, but both declined.” Tom, however, merely waited, and Gully had already a match on with Gregson, and, therefore, Mister Horton’s challenge looks much like “bounce.” In January, 1808, Cribb accepted the challenge of Horton; the latter being under the care and tuition of Pearce, the Game Chicken. The stake was 100 guineas, ten posted as a forfeit, and the fight to come off in the same ring as Gully and Gregson’s battle. From the flourishing accounts of Horton’s improvement in sparring while on a tour with the “Chicken,” all but Captain Barclay, and a few firm friends of Cribb, declined laying any odds. The combat came off on the 10th May, 1808, at Markyate Street, Herts. The absorbing interest of the Gully and Gregson contest seems to have prevented the reporters from doing justice to this battle, which, nevertheless, was a poor one-sided affair. If young George had no chance with Horton, Horton had less with “brother Tom.” At the close of the first round six to four was betted upon Cribb, which increased to two and three to one soon afterwards. Tom’s steadiness and safe milling qualities made it merely a question of time. Twenty-five rounds, however, for Cribb was never in a hurry, were required before Horton gave in utterly beaten.

The sporting world was now divided in opinion as to the pugilistic merits of the burly host of the Castle, Bob Gregson, and Tom Cribb. It was maintained by one party that Gregson, though overmatched by the skill of Gully, who had now formally retired from the championship, would shine conspicuously from his great strength and pluck, if matched against such “a slow one” (for on this point Cribb’s opponents, like Tom Sayers’, always insisted). Accordingly in June, 1808, when Gully and Cribb had a joint benefit at the Fives Court, a challenge was given, and Tuesday, October 25th, 1808, fixed as the day of battle. Moulsey Hurst, in a thirty feet roped ring, was the _locus in quo_, and for the details we quote the _Daily Advertiser_:—

“The dreadful beating Gregson had received from Gully, so far from disheartening him, only tended to make him tenfold solicitous for another chance of acquiring pugilistic fame. Major Morgan, his last backer, however, declined patronising him; but he soon found another friend in the Marquis of Tweeddale. Paul Methuen, Esq., backed Cribb in this contest.”

A thirty feet ring having been formed, at half past twelve the combatants entered; Cribb attended by Gully and Bill Gibbons, and Gregson with his seconds, Jem Belcher and Richmond. Odds five to four in favour of Cribb, more betters than takers. At a quarter before one they set-to.

THE FIGHT.[133]

Round 1.—The instant Cribb shook hands he stept
back, and assumed his attitude. Short sparring,
each anxious for the first hit. Gregson
attempted to lead with his left hand, but his
distance was ill-judged, and fell short. Cribb
was also ineffectual, as his blow went over his
opponent’s shoulder. They closed, and both fell,
Gregson uppermost.

2.—Cribb put in two body blows, right and left.
Gregson made a courageous attempt to hit Cribb,
who shifted and avoided him dexterously, and
immediately threw in a severe hit in the right
side of the face with his left hand. Blood
issued from the cut profusely, and never ceased
during the combat. Gregson lost his temper, and
threw in some desperate blows in the neck,
which, had Cribb not partially avoided, it was
supposed would have ended the contest. Cribb
rallied, and threw his opponent. (Odds two to
one in Cribb’s favour.)

4.—Gregson rallied, and put in a severe hit
under Cribb’s ear; Cribb retreated, according
to his usual mode of fighting, and Gregson
following him, he at every retreating step put
in a severe hit with his left hand on the right
side of Gregson’s face. Gregson, however,
followed up until he fell, absolutely stunned.

5.—No fighting; Cribb fell in making play.

6.—This round odds fell again. Gregson judged
his distance well, and the first hit threw in so
tremendous a blow on the temple, that Cribb was
glaringly abroad and stupefied. Had Gregson
now possessed science as a pugilist equal to
his strength, he must have beaten Cribb out of
time, but while Cribb was retreating to the
ropes, desirous of finishing the round, Gregson
followed him, and lost this glorious opportunity
of winning the battle, by idly sparring away the
time, instead of repeating his blows. Cribb,
with all his dexterity, was obliged to sustain
another disadvantageous rally before he could
close the round, and then was knocked off his
legs.

7.—Cribb’s head cut a sorry figure, and
Gregson’s mouth and nose continued to bleed
copiously. They rallied, and both exchanged hits
to a stand-still, when Gregson threw Cribb.

8.—Gregson made play, but no dependance could be
placed on his hits, from the bad judgment he
displayed in his distances. Cribb put in his
favourite left-handed hit again over Gregson’s
dreadfully sore mouth. Gregson, almost wild,
closed, and threw Cribb a severe cross-buttock.
Nevertheless, odds rose again two to one on
Cribb.

9.—Gregson showed evident distress. Cribb still
kept up his old game of retreating. Gregson,
impelled by the warmth of his temper, followed
him, and was severely punished by some dreadful
repeats on the right side of his face. He fell
on his knees, and appeared unable to rise again
alone. (Three to one on Cribb.)

10.—Cribb supported his superiority. They fought
until both fell on their knees, and after a
fraternal hug, both laid themselves down,
exhausted with fatigue.

11.—Both appeared distressed in their wind, and
showed great caution; closed, and both fell.

12.—In this round the combatants seemed
recovering, and a display of greater courage
never was seen. Gregson threw in a most
tremendous hit, but it fell short by an inch. He
then rallied, and successfully planted a hit on
the head, and another on the body. Cribb seemed
abroad, and Gregson threw him. (Odds seven to
four on Cribb.)

13.—Language would be incapable of describing
the dreadful appearance of the faces of both
combatants. They, however, obstinately stood
and exchanged hits until Gregson fell, more by
exhaustion than by the force of the hit.

14.—This round was as resolutely contended.
Gregson exerted his utmost to gain the
advantage, but Cribb seemed to have recovered
both his wind and strength. Gregson was so weak
that his knees gave way, and he fell on his
hands, and actually pulled at the grass with
passion.

15.—Cribb beat his opponent in this round
dreadfully. Gregson fell again; then tried to
get on his knees, but in vain.

16.—By chance Gregson struck Cribb on the head
at setting-to, and brought him down.

19.—It appeared to require the greatest
exertions of both combatants to make any
impression, and he who for a minute was favoured
by nature had the advantage.

20.—Both displayed excellent bottom. They
mutually ran in, met, and fell like men
perfectly inebriated.

22.—A rally, and Gregson bored down his
opponent. (Ten to one was offered that Cribb did
not come again.)

23.—Cribb at meeting had just strength enough
to put in two slight hits, and closed. They
wrestled, and Cribb threw Gregson, who fell like
lead. He was, however, put again on his second’s
knee, but on time being called was unable to
come forward, having been seriously hurt in the
last fall. Cribb, on hearing the news might have
considered it the luckiest moment of his life:
he immediately fell into his second’s arms, and
remained apparently exhausted for some minutes.

On recovering, Cribb challenged Richmond, who
had offended him, to fight immediately for 50
guineas, but this was prevented.

REMARKS.—Gregson sustained in this contest as
much injury as he did with Gully, and proved
himself a bad judge of his distances, and, as
every scientific amateur always considered him,
a novice in the art of pugilism. In rallying
he had but one hit, which, if it failed not
only to take effect, but to stun his adversary,
the rally was sure to terminate greatly to his
disadvantage; still Cribb never was secure of
beating him, for although hit several times
to a stand-still, he recovered his wind at
intervals, and certainly stood up with the most
undaunted courage. Cribb fought upon his old
plan of retreating, in order to wind his
adversary, and by this means always fights at
home. He was here particularly successful with
his left-handed hits, as Gregson’s face showed
by its dreadfully bruised state. Cribb’s
principal backer presented him with £150, as
a reward for his undaunted courage; and Mr.
Jackson kindly collected a handsome subscription
purse for the unfortunate Gregson. Gregson was
conveyed to the King’s Head at Hampton, and
Cribb to the Toy Inn at Hampton Court. They were
both bled, and remained quiet until Wednesday
evening, when they returned to town. The Duke of
York, the Marquis of Tweeddale, Lords Yarmouth,
Craven, Brook, Barrymore, and Somerville, with a
large number of military and naval officers and
sporting gentlemen were upon the ground.

This battle, which almost equalled in severity that between Gully and Gregson, brought Cribb to the elevation of the championship, Mr. Gully having, as we have seen, formally retired from the position. No sooner did this come to the ears of Jem Belcher—who was still smarting under the defeat he had sustained at the hands of Cribb, which he never ceased maintaining was the result of an accident to his wrist—than he sent forth a challenge to Cribb, for another trial for the belt and 200 guineas. Cribb readily responded; the preliminaries were arranged, and Monday, February 1, 1809, fixed for the combat. Captain Barclay again came forward as Cribb’s backer and trainer, and the odds were seven to four in Tom’s favour. Belcher went into training at Virginia Water, and it was stated he was in excellent condition and spirits.

On the Monday above-mentioned, in a thirty feet roped ring, on Epsom race-course, the men met, Belcher entering the enclosure at half past twelve, waited upon by Dan Mendoza and Bob Clarke. Soon afterwards Cribb threw his “castor” into the ring, followed by Joe Ward and Bill Gibbons. Two and then three to one were offered on Cribb.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Sparring for half a minute, Belcher
made two hits; Cribb parried one, but the other
got home in the body. Cribb returned; Belcher
made a half-armed stop. They closed, and Belcher
fell, but lightly.

2.—Cribb made play, and threw in a body hit.
Belcher rallied. Some good blows exchanged, and
Cribb threw his opponent.

3.—No visible marks of hitting yet. Belcher very
gay, with great skill made two lunging hits
right and left, the last of which Cribb received
in full force under his left ear, and a copious
discharge of blood followed. Some blows well
exchanged at a distance. Cribb threw Belcher
again, but manifestly had the worst of the round
as to hitting.

4.—A good display of science. Every hit stopped
on both sides. Cribb surprised the amateurs by
his steady stops and back-stops. Belcher
attempted to rally, but fell, seemingly
distressed in his wind.

5.—Belcher put in right and left hits; but it
was evident that he had once more lamed his
right hand. Cribb again rallied successfully,
and threw his opponent.

6.—Belcher retreated, seemingly to recruit his
wind, to the ropes, where Cribb planted some
good blows. Belcher now, in order to avoid his
adversary’s superior strength, hit out, and
successfully planted a blow at arm’s length
with his lame hand on the spot he had before
severely struck under the ear, and which was
also the precise place in which Gregson put his
tremendous blow in their last contest. The blood
again issued with increased force; they closed,
and Belcher threw Cribb a cross-buttock. (Great
joy among the Bristol people. Cribb’s gluttony,
however, being well known, odds were even now
four to one in his favour.)

7.—In this round Belcher indisputably had the
advantage, but his well-known infirmities
prevented his becoming the favourite. He
rallied, and hit with astonishing success. The
men closed, and Cribb fell easily.

8.—Belcher appeared winded from his exertions in
the last round. He retreated towards the ropes,
where again he was reduced to a courageous
effort to extricate himself. He rallied, put in
a few hits, but so slight, that Cribb appeared
to be unconscious of them. The men closed,
hugged, and contended for the fall, until both
struggled over the ropes.

9.—The combatants closed, and the seconds
separated them.[134]

10.—Belcher had evidently great disadvantages
to labour under, and this round indicated
strongly in whose favour the contest must
terminate; Cribb had as yet made little play.
He now went in, hit, stopped, and hit again
five or six times successively, and finally
gave his opponent a heavy fall. (Any odds, but
no takers.)

11.—Cribb forced the fighting, as in the
preceding round, and again threw Belcher. Both
Belcher’s hands were now injured, and Cribb kept
the lead he had gained up to the

19th.—Belcher now convinced the spectators of
his fine science. Unable to hit effectively, he
stopped Cribb’s blows with marvellous neatness.
Despite his dexterity, however, Cribb now bored
in and forced him down; nevertheless, Belcher
fought defensively, prolonging the battle to the

31st and final round.—It was piteous to see this
once renowned and brave champion contending
against nature. For the last ten rounds there
was not a chance of success; still his olden
skill made him difficult to beat, and Cribb,
slow and sure, never threw away a chance.
Belcher’s knuckles of his right hand were
swelled immensely, and his right forearm covered
with bruises from stopping Cribb’s left hand. At
the end of forty minutes, at the urgent request
of his backers and friends, Belcher gave in,
never again to enter the field of honour.

REMARKS.—Greatly as this victory adds to the
fame of the champion, as a resolute, cautious,
and truly brave boxer, the best judges were
agreed that had Belcher possessed his once
excellent constitution and both his eyes, Cribb
must have been defeated. There were not wanting
others who maintained that, despite his slow
hitting, Cribb’s retreating and defensive
tactics, with his wonderful stamina, strength,
and never-failing courage, must make it a
doubtful point if Belcher ever could have
thrashed him, as Cribb always seemed to have a
“little left” when his adversary was on the
totter, and he was called upon “to finish.” When
Belcher first came from Bristol, he was justly
considered a phenomenon; under the age of twenty
he adduced a new system of fighting, which
completely baffled the most scientific adepts in
the old school, and to him boxing in a great
measure owed its support, particularly by the
emulation he excited, and the attempts made to
produce a man to contend with him. But at this
period, at the age of only twenty-seven, he was
so far degenerated as to oppose, with very
little chance of success, any pugilist of note;
he was unable to make but very few hits with his
now enfeebled hands, and after a contest of half
an hour nature deserted him; still he retained
some of his former gaiety, which only reminded
those who knew him what he once was, and every
one, with an eye of pity, saw that all powers of
execution had deserted him.

Cribb seemed now to have reached the topmost round of fortune’s ladder as a pugilist. Like Alexander Selkirk he could exclaim,—

My title there’s none to dispute,

when a rival arose from an unexpected quarter. Tom Molineaux, an athletic American black, had astonished the amateurs by the wonderful strength and gluttony he had shown in his conquest of Tom Blake (Tom Tough); indeed his countryman, Bill Richmond, vaunted loudly that “the man of colour” must win. Two hundred guineas was posted on behalf of Molineaux, and a further purse of 100 guineas was subscribed by patrons of the ring to be presented personally to the conqueror after the combat. Many persons were astonished at the Nigger’s audacity, while others, who knew their man, not only exhibited no surprise, but expressed their confidence that the Darkey would prove the most formidable antagonist that Cribb had ever encountered. Cribb was among those who held Molineaux very cheap, and he expressed an opinion that he should win with ease. We read in a journal of the day, “Some persons feel alarmed at the bare idea that a black man and a foreigner should seize the championship of England, and decorate his sable brow with the hard-earned laurels of Cribb. He must, however, have his fair chance, though Tom swears that, for the honour of old England, ‘He’ll be d—— if he will relinquish a single sprig except with his life.’”

The affair excited the most extraordinary sensation, not only in the pugilistic world, but also among classes who had hitherto considered boxing as beneath their notice, and who now, thinking the honour of their country was at stake, took a most lively interest in the affair. Although Cribb considered that the conquest of such a beginner in the art as he supposed Molineaux to be, would be mere child’s play, he was still wise enough not to throw a chance away, and got himself into good condition, although he was, perhaps, a little too fleshy. The betting upon the event was heavier than had been known for many years. Odds were laid that Molineaux would be defeated in fifteen minutes, and it was considered the excess of fool-hardiness in any one who betted that he would stand more than half-an-hour.

On the other hand we find Molineaux was in the highest state of confidence; indeed his vaunting bordered upon insolent braggadocia.

The day selected for this grand milling exhibition was December 18th, 1810, at Copthall Common, in the neighbourhood of East Grimstead, Sussex, within thirty miles of the metropolis.

Notwithstanding the rain came down in torrents, and the _distance_ from London (hear this ye railroad travellers of 1879!), the Fancy were not to be deterred from witnessing the mill, and waded through a clayey road, nearly knee-deep for five miles, with alacrity and cheerfulness, so great was the curiosity and interest manifested upon this battle. We shall, according to our arrangement, where practicable, give the original report, vice the written-up rhodomontade of “Boxiana,” copied servilely by later publications.

At twelve o’clock, Mr. Jackson, who generally officiates as master of the ceremonies, formed an outer circle of the various vehicles which had transported so many thousands from the metropolis, at the foot of a hill, in order to shield the combatants as much as possible from the chilling rain and wind from the eastward. A twenty-four feet ring, according to preceding arrangement, was constructed within this circle, with stakes and ropes, and as soon as completed Molineaux came forward, bowed to all around, hurled up his cap in defiance, and then withdrew to strip. Cribb followed his example, and both soon returned eager for the fray, amid the plaudits of the populace, whose animated countenances seemed to express the passing thought, “What a glorious thing’s a battle.” Gully and Joe Ward seconded Cribb; and Richmond and Jones officiated for Molineaux.

On stripping, the appearance of the men was really formidable; Cribb, who stood five feet ten inches and a half, weighed fourteen stone three pounds, while Molineaux, who was five feet eight inches and a quarter, was only a pound lighter, and consequently looked far more muscular. His arms were of wondrous length and roundness of form. He looked confident and fierce, rather than smiling, and nodded his head as he shook hands.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—The combatants shook hands, retired two
steps, put themselves in attitude, eyeing each
other with the most penetrating looks, and each
highly attentive to his guard. For a moment a
solemn pause ensued. A little sparring, and
Molineaux put in the first hit by a right-handed
body-blow on the left side of his opponent.
Cribb smartly returned right and left on the
head, and one for luck on the body. Molineaux
closed, and Cribb threw him. Thus the round
ended without bloodshed.

2.—Both set-to with great eagerness, apparently
fully determined on a manly stand-up fight,
seeming to exclude sparring and shifting
altogether. A furious rally, heavy blows
exchanged. Cribb’s did most execution, being
thrown in straight forward, while Molineaux
struck hand over head with most astonishing
power, but little judgment, and Cribb either
parried or spoilt the effort, by planting the
first hit. Cribb, although he showed first blood
by a cut on the lip, evidently had the best of
the round.

3.—Molineaux faced his antagonist with great
courage. Cribb met him with equal resolution,
and after a little sparring brought his left
fist in contact with his antagonist’s head at
arm’s length with such tremendous force, that
he laid him to measure his full length on the
earth. (Four to one on Cribb.)

4.—Molineaux immediately jumped on his legs, and
commenced a desperate rally, in which Cribb
again brought him down.

5.—An excellent round, good straight-forward
fighting, and both rallied in great style.
Molineaux tried to bore down his opponent by
main strength; Cribb determined to prevent him
if possible, by repeating some desperate blows
on the head. They closed, and Molineaux fibbed
very dexterously in Dutch Sam’s style, but at
length fell.

6.—Molineaux commenced furiously. Cribb slipped,
but partially recovered, and by a blow brought
down Molineaux.

7.—Molineaux rushed in as before, and Cribb put
in a violent blow on the forehead, by which he
picked up a handsome “rainbow.” His countenance
was, however, not the more clouded, and he was
first to the time.

8.—Both combatants by this time had been taught
discrimination, and had discovered each other’s
physical powers. Cribb found out that his notion
of beating Molineaux off hand was truly
fallacious, as he really was an ugly customer,
and he also became sensible that if Molineaux
could so reduce him as to make his sledge hammer
hits tell, he should not willingly lay his head
for the anvil. He therefore now brought forward
his science, and began to adopt his usual famous
retreating system. The men rallied desperately;
success was alternate. At length Molineaux fell;
but Cribb, from his violent exertion, appeared
weaker than his opponent.

9.—Gallantly contested. Cribb made play.
Molineaux followed courageously, giving no
quarter, put in a severe hit, and Cribb fell,
evidently much exhausted. The knowing ones
looked queer; Cribb had been fighting too fast.

10.—The conceit by this time was tolerably well
taken out of both combatants; their heads and
faces were hideously disfigured. Molineaux again
displayed superiority of strength. For full
two minutes hits were exchanged greatly to the
disadvantage of Cribb; he, however, at length
brought down his opponent.

11.—Courageously contested. Molineaux brought
Cribb down.

12.—Cribb put in a severe hit in the body.
Molineaux returned on the head and fell.

17.—Cribb still continued his shy plan, and
Molineaux evidently had the advantage.[135]

23.—In this round Cribb perceiving Molineaux
falling off, made play and brought him down, the
first time for several rounds.

24 to 28.—Bets considerably reduced. They had
been four to one on Molineaux, but were now
even.

29.—Molineaux ineffectually endeavoured to get
Cribb’s head under his left arm, and also to
throw him, but failed in both. The men rallied,
and Cribb, who now appeared to possess more
confidence than he had for some rounds, knocked
his opponent down.

30.—Cribb now again got the lead, and stuck up
to his opponent until he fairly rallied him
down.

31.—A short rally. Molineaux threw Cribb, but in
the struggle fell over him and pitched upon his
head, which so severely affected him that he
could hardly stand. Richmond, however, prompted
him to go on, in hopes of Cribb being exhausted.

33.—Molineaux fell by an effort to keep his
legs. This by Cribb’s party was called falling
without a blow, and a squabble would have
ensued, had not Molineaux exclaimed, “I can
fight no more.”

Cribb was greatly elated at such a sound, but
was too weak to throw his usual somersault. The
contest lasted fifty-five minutes.

REMARKS.—Molineaux in this contest proved
himself as courageous a man as ever an adversary
contended with, and Cribb’s merits as a pugilist
cannot but be enhanced by a victory over so
tremendous an opponent. The Black astonished
every one, not only by his extraordinary power
of hitting, and his gigantic strength, but also
by his acquaintance with the science, which was
far greater than any one had given him credit
for. In the 28th round, after the men were
carried to their corners, Cribb was so much
exhausted that he could hardly rise from his
second’s knee at the call of “Time,” which was
uttered loudly by Sir Thomas Apreece, one of the
umpires. Joe Ward, his second, by a little
manœuvring, occupied the attention of the
Black’s seconds, and so managed to prolong the
period sufficiently to enable the champion to
recover a little, and thus assisted him to pull
through.

The following appeared in the papers of the ensuing week:—

“SIR,—My friends think that had the weather on last Tuesday, the day
on which I contended with you, not been so unfavourable, I should
have won the battle; I therefore challenge you to a second meeting,
at any time within two months, for such sum as those gentlemen who
place confidence in me may be pleased to arrange.

“As it is possible this letter may meet the public eye, I cannot
omit the opportunity of expressing a confident hope, that the
circumstance of my being of a different colour to that of a people
amongst whom I have sought protection, will not in any way operate
to my prejudice.

“I am, sir,
“Your most obedient humble servant,
“T. MOLINEAUX.”

“Witness, J. SCHOLEFIELD.”

“_To Mr. Thomas Cribb, St. Martin’s Street, Leicester Square,
December 21, 1810._”

On Tuesday, January 29th, Cribb took a benefit at the Fives Court, at which nearly 3000 persons were present. Cribb and Tom Belcher, Molineaux and Richmond, Firby, Power, Ben Burn, Cropley, Tom O’Donnell, Rimmer,[136] a young big one brought forward by Gregson, set-to.

Molineaux’s second fight with Cribb, was postponed by the intervention of Rimmer’s challenge, as Richmond thought it a safer match. Molineaux, having disposed of the big Lancashire man’s pretensions, the opinion of many of the public was evidently shared by Molineaux, who pleaded that, in addition to the above circumstance, the weather had proved unpropitious, and had more effect upon his constitution—which was little acclimated to cold and wet—than upon the more hardy frame of Cribb, the latter could not decline giving his opponent a chance to retrieve his laurels. A match was accordingly made for £300 a-side, and on Saturday, September 28th, 1811, was brought to issue at Thistleton Gap, in the parish of Wymondham, in the county of Leicester, very near Crown Point, the spot where the three counties, Lincoln, Leicester, and Rutland unite. This match created, if possible, more interest than that which had preceded it, and for twenty miles round the scene of action not a bed was to be obtained for love or money the previous night, unless bespoken days beforehand. By six o’clock in the morning, hundreds were astir in order to get good places near the stage which had been erected, and by the time the men arrived there were about 20,000 persons present, including many Corinthians of the highest rank. Neither man on this occasion weighed so much, by nearly a stone, as in the former fight. Captain Barclay had trained Cribb on a system peculiar to himself, and had reduced him to thirteen stone six pounds, and still kept his stamina unimpaired. The men mounted the stage at twelve o’clock, Cribb being the first to show, and both were greeted with loud applause. A twenty-five feet stage was erected in a stubble ground without the slightest interruption. Cribb’s second was his old friend and intimate companion Gully, and Joe Ward bottle-holder; Bill Richmond and Bill Gibbons officiated for Molineaux. At eighteen minutes after twelve they set-to; betting three to one on Cribb, and six to four in his favour for the first knock-down blow.

THE FIGHT.

Round 1.—Sparring for about a minute, when Cribb
made play right and left. The right-handed blow
told slightly in the body of Molineaux, who
returned slightly on the head; a rally now
ensued, they exchanged their blows, when
Molineaux fell from a dexterous hit in the
throat; the blows, however, throughout this
round were not at a distance to do very great
execution. Betting unaltered.

2.—Cribb showed first blood at the mouth at
setting-to. A dreadful rally commenced. Cribb
put in a good body hit with the right hand,
which Molineaux returned on the head with the
left flush; both combatants now fought at
half-arm, and exchanged some half dozen hits
with great force. They then closed, and after a
severe trial of strength Molineaux threw his
opponent. Odds six to four on Cribb.

3.—In the last rally Cribb’s right eye was
nearly closed, and now another equally
sanguinary followed. After sparring for wind, in
which essential Molineaux was evidently
deficient, Cribb put in a dreadful “doubler” on
the body of his opponent, who, although hit
away, kept his legs and renewed the rally with
such ferocity, that the backers of the odds
looked blue. The rally lasted a minute and a
half, when the combatants closed, and Molineaux
again threw Cribb with astonishing force. Odds
fell, but Cribb’s tried game still kept him the
favourite.

4.—In the rally Cribb had hit right and left
at the body and head, but Molineaux fought at
the head only. He was so successful with the
left hand, that he planted many flush hits.
Both Cribb’s eyes were now damaged, his face
dreadfully disfigured, and he bled profusely.
Molineaux evidently was in great distress, his
chest and sides heaving fearfully. Cribb smiled
at such a favourable omen, and renewed the rally
with a heroism, perhaps, never excelled, and
in point of judgment most adroitly timed. Hits
in abundance were exchanged, Cribb still
fighting at the “mark,” and Molineaux at the
head; at length Cribb fell, evincing great
exhaustion. Odds however were now seven to four
in his favour.

5.—Molineaux accepted the rally, and the
execution on both sides was truly terrific.
Molineaux had the best of the exchanges, and
Cribb fell from a blow and in falling received
another. This excited some murmurs and applause
from the partisans of the contending heroes, and
on reference to the umpires was decided “fair,”
Cribb’s hands being at liberty, and not having
yet touched the floor.